The arrest took place after a police team laid a trap for the accused based on the information they received from a reliable source, who informed them that the four youths would be gathering at a hotel named Dwarka near Nerul Railway station before they leave for Mumbai where the packets were supposed to be handed over to others.

According to Police Sub Inspector BR Hangirge, who received the information, “Our team reached at the spot at around 3.30 on Saturday afternoon. Four people were gathered their and the profiles matched with the description.” The four, identified as — Ravishankar Singh (27), Rajeev Kumar Singh (20), Raviranjan Kumar Singh (20) and Roshanmunan Singh (20) — told the police that they belong to a village in Bihar, from where they procured the drug.

According to the police, while two separate packets of charas weighing 490 grams and 507 grams, wrapped in adhesive tapes, were recovered from Ravishankar Singh’s pocket, the others were in possession of packets with over 500 grams of charas.

Hangirge further said, “Ravishankar Singh is from the merchant navy. He stays in Mumbai when he is not sailing. For the last few months he has been in touch with some groups with whom he has been negotiating on the procurement and sale of drugs. He got in touch with the other three as they all belong to the same native. He got some money transferred into their accounts and convinced them to come down to Mumbai along with the packets. He also promised them that he will pay them more money if they manage to sell the packets to others.”

The team is now investigating the manner in which the three managed to enter the city. They are also investigating the chain through which these drugs get circulated in the city.

The three youths are from agriculture background and have told the police that this is the first time they have come to Mumbai.